What's My Line?

Richard McDonald, product business manager for Bobst Registron Equipment, cites sources of misregister beyond substrate inconsistencies, such as caliper changes, drying, mechanical drag from rollers, tension upsets due to splices, and long web lengths. "Electronic line shaft technology does not address any of these issues," he notes. "With the tendency toward more complex materials and press layouts that include inline laminations, coatings, cold seals, etc., register controls will play a greater role in not only controlling precise and accurate register, but also in reducing material waste during press startups, restarts, splices, acceleration, and deceleration."